Growing up without a record or cassette player, Justin learned to play the mandolin at the age of four by listening to his father whistle melodies in their Southwest Missouri kitchen. He toured with the Bertoldie Family Band throughout the Midwest for six years before performing full-time in Branson, MO, with the Braschler Music Show and various bands at Silver Dollar City. He makes his living now as a mandolin/fiddle/guitar player for the legendary Roy Clark...on the road 200 plus dates a year.
EXCLUSIVE--JUSTIN SAYS GOODBYE
"My many, many thanks to all of my fans out there who have voted for me and showed their support over the past several weeks. Truly an amazing experience that I will never forget. Please hang in there with me. Unfortunately, I missed out on the Nashville Star summer tour, but feel in due time, I'll have things cooking with a tour of my own. I've gained so much knowledge, personally and professionally from working on this show, I don't plan on wasting it.
"Being on stage singing with Jamie O'Neal and Phil Vassar stands in high ranks with my most memorable career experiences. Both such great artists that I have much respect for. It was a blast and an honor to swap lines of their songs during the show.
"I have to continue ending with the fact that it's been an honor to work with such a talented crew. Everyone gives their best when it comes to this show. I'm blown away, but not surprised with the professionalism that has hopefully rubbed off.
"Stay tuned into next week's show when Justin sings his mega-smash hit, via satellite, "Happy Trails To You." Take care and my best to you all."
EXCLUSIVE--JUSTIN ON BUDDY!
"The same humble Buddy Jewell I met five years ago at a writer's night at Douglas Corner here in Nashville, casually strolled into the green room for a visit before the show. Nashville Star status has not altered his attitude one bit. It was a pleasure to visit with him--under much different circumstances, but the same results, nevertheless.
"I had been racking my brain for weeks trying to find a song that I could sing and play fiddle on. Over dinner with friends, out of the blue, someone started talking about "Calling Baton Rouge," in regards to a Garth Brooks concert, and a light clicked on in my head. Perfect!
"I was pumped about the arrangement as it incorporated a lot of music in a short time and allowed me the chance to showcase my fiddling. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I sure had a blast performing the song.
"I still find myself struggling with strep throat and sinus infections. Not the thing to be dealing with when my career is on the line every Tuesday night in front of a national audience--but when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro, so I'll buck up. I now understand why the Indians once called this area the 'valley of the sick.'
"The next show should be killer once again. Everyone on the show is going to be performing with Jamie O'Neal and Phil Vassar. Very exciting for us all. Once again we will all be performing covers and are in the process of arranging and rehearsing with the band.
"Next week marks a huge step in the process of becoming the next, Nashville Star. The four remaining finalists will not only advance to the next round, but get to go to hometowns with the Nashville Star producers to film footage of live concerts, friends and family, and be on the Nashville Star, summer tour. How cool!
"Well folks, tune into next week's show when we'll hopefully hear LeAnn say, 'Out of shoot number five with a deep seat and a faraway look in his eyes, ladies and gentlemen, Justin David.'"
EXCLUSIVE--JUSTIN ON PHIL, BRET, AND 'MUFFIN'!
"Phil Vassar is not only a great songwriter, but a great entertainer. I wish I could have been out front to get the full effect, but the stage wings made for a decent vantage point. Bret Michaels also performed his smash hit "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" during the middle of the show and brought the house down.
"My name was called in the second slot, which really took me by surprise. I tripped twice on my 50-yard dash to center stage, then had to compose myself to sing "Finding A Way Back to You," a ballad I had written a couple months back. I felt very comfortable--I always want to do a song that's more "up" to get the audience into it more, but I needed to do a slower song to show off my vocal range a bit more. According to the judges.
"The series is at the halfway point and the realization of being at this point is sinking in more with every passing day. I would like to sit back and relax and enjoy the success of the show, but there is so much more work left and I must remain focused.
"The producers took us all out to a ranch to go horseback riding. Nothing like riding a horse while dealing with a 102-degree temperature, but it was still a good time. I did manage to stay on my horse the whole day. It wasn't that hard, due to the fact I was riding a 23-year-old Appaloosa named Muffin.
"Back to covers on the April 5th show. I plan on performing Newgrass Revival's "Calling Baton Rouge," which was also a smash hit for Garth Brooks. Should be another great night of music. Tune in for next weeks show when Justin asks, 'Does anyone else smell burning rosin?' (Hint, hint!)"
EXCLUSIVE--JUSTIN ON JOSH'S ELIMINATION!
"Well, not knowing exactly where to start, I'll just jump in. What an incredible night. The backstage was filled with so much adrenaline it felt more like a championship boxing match instead of a music concert. "Montgomery Gentry rocked out. I was standing just off stage right and the floor was shaking.
"I have to admit, it was hard only having 20 seconds after I found out I was performing to get my instrument, spot check its tuning, get my vocal mike set, and try and gain my composure. Only to have such a short time to find the groove, but that's live television and it definitely had my blood pumping. What a rush!
"The night was once again bittersweet. I'm so pumped about moving on to the next show, but Josh Owen was sent home. Not only was Josh a great picker, he and I were roommates and developed a friendship. Actually the main reason was the fact I exploited his age and made him be my designated driver on the nights we went out to check out the music scene here in town. Just kidding--we did, however, hang out quite a bit, and on more than one occasion took local bands hostage for a few tunes.
"Reality has set in with the first artist being eliminated. It makes me want to make the most of a great springboard and work even harder to become the next Nashville Star. The interviews are getting more intense and I feel as if I'm being prodded to say something for ratings and shock factor rather than from my heart and truly what I am feeling. I realize it is television, but it's a very thin line when it comes to whoring myself out to someone, which I don't intend to do, but would rather find that happy medium where I can be entertaining off stage as well as on.
"I have to continue ending with the fact that, it's an honor to be working with such a talented crew. Everyone gives their best when it comes to this show. I'm blown away, but not surprised with the professionalism that is hopefully rubbing off.
"Everyone take care, and remember to tune into next week's show, when Justin says, 'These microwavable dinners are the best meals I've ever had!'"
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